On this day in 1468: the death of Johann Gutenberg,
whose revolutionary printing press set a fire in Europe which still burns today

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Johann Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg was a craftsman, with particular expertise in metalwork. His date of birth is unknown, but a local dispute between the guilds and patricians (of which he was one) forced him leave his native Mainz around 1428–30.

He settled in Strasbourg, where he busied himself with gem-cutting and other crafts. One scheme involved making mirrors to catch the holy light from relics displayed in Aachen, but the enterprise folded when the pilgrimage was cancelled to stop the spread of infectious diseases.

Replica of a Gutenberg pressCredit:
Aodhdubh at English Wikipedia/Aodhdubh at English Wikipedia

The next phase of his life is known from financial records and lawsuits. He borrowed from wealthy patrons and entered a number of partnerships. Legal papers from 1438...